Summer is a magical time on the Churchill River, as it comes to life with what feels like countless beluga whales. Watch in awe as these "canaries of the sea" migrate to the warm, shallow waters to give birth and feed on fish. Experience these majestic creatures from various vantage points, as you will have the opportunity to see them from a large tour boat and an intimate Zodiac where you can witness their playful behavior and curious spirit.
While on land, enjoy the seemingly endless view as the surrounding tundra landscape erupts into colourful summer blooms alongside the Hudson Bay. Experience a dog carting excursion with a professional musher through the colourful boreal forest and explore the Churchill Wildlife Management Area by Tundra Buggy in search of northern wildlife. You might even have the opportunity to see the first of the summer polar bears as they begin to return to from the sea ice throughout the summer months.
My adventure begins in Winnipeg, Frontiers North’s gateway to their Churchill adventures. After checking into my hotel, I meet with the rest of the tour group and our Frontiers North Interpretive Guide. Our first order of business is a journey of discovery through the beautiful city of Winnipeg.
We tour Manitoba’s largest city by bus, with stops at the infamous Manitoba Legislative Building, the historical Exchange District, a visit to St. Boniface – a charming French-speaking community in the heart of the city – and a stop at The Forks, Winnipeg’s most celebrated public space and the spot where the Assiniboine River and Red River meet.
In the evening our guide hosted a welcome dinner for our tour group so that we could get to know our fellow travelers better and learn more about our upcoming adventure into the north.
Our second day starts off with an early morning flight to Churchill. The two-hour flight takes us from the prairies of central Manitoba, over boreal forest and finally to the colourful tundra of Churchill.
Upon landing, we set out on a Churchill and area tour to explore the area surrounding the town of Churchill. Our Interpretive Guide teaches us all about the historical significance of the places we visit: Cape Merry; the site of a crashed airplane affectionately known by locals as Miss Piggy; and Manitoba Conservation’s Polar Bear Holding Facility (aka the Polar Bear Jail). We even had time to stop to enjoy a walk along the coast of the Hudson Bay – bring your bug spray!
After lunch our group also spends time visiting the Parks Canada Visitor Centre. After a busy first day in Churchill, our group enjoys dinner at a wonderful little family-run restaurant.
Photo © Doug Ross
This morning we join a local dog musher for an exciting dog carting excursion through the boreal forest—what a rush! Our host introduces us to his team of sled dogs and explains to us the importance of dog sledding in northern culture and history. Next, we pay a visit to Churchill's Itsanitaq Museum, home to one of the most extensive Inuit Art collections in the world!
This afternoon is our first encounter with Churchill’s beautiful beluga whales! We search for beluga whales in the Churchill River by boat and then stop for a walking tour at the historical Prince of Wales Fort where we learn about the famous explorers who lived at the fort in the 18th Century and how they managed to survive in Churchill’s harsh climate.
Today we get to go on a Tundra Buggy adventure into the vast and colourful Churchill Wildlife Management Area! In the morning we hop on a Tundra Buggy and head out onto the tundra in search of summer polar bears, arctic foxes, hares, and more types of plants and flowers than you can imagine growing in the North!
Photo © Handcraft Creative
Sadly, it's our last day in Churchill. But before we leave we get to go out onto the Churchill River again! We start our day with a Zodiac boat tour on the Churchill River, zipping up and down the river looking for pods of curious whales. They follow us so closely and seem to love the bubbles coming from the Zodiac!
In the afternoon our group has some free time to explore Churchill’s gift shops and local tourist sights. We of course had to take our picture in front of the Inukshuk on the coast of Hudson’s Bay! Then it's back to the airport for our return flight to Winnipeg, where the group checks back into our hotel for a good night’s rest – a perfect time to go over the thousands of pictures I took!
Photo © Belinda Fitzpatrick
My Churchill adventure is over and I’m heading home – but I have a lot of wonderful photos to show my friends and family!
Guests will arrive into Winnipeg and check into their hotel at the Winnipeg airport; Winnipeg city tour; Evening welcome dinner hosted by Frontiers North Interpretive Guide. Meals: D
Early morning flight to Churchill; Churchill and area tour; Parks Canada Visitor Centre; Overnight at Churchill hotel. Meals: B, L, D
Dog carting and interpretive program; Itsanitaq Museum; Boat tour of the Churchill River; Interpretive walking tour of Prince of Wales Fort; Overnight at Churchill hotel. Meals: B, L, D
Tundra Buggy adventure in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area; Overnight at Churchill hotel. Meals: B, L, D
Zodiac boat ride on the Churchill River; Evening flight to Winnipeg; Guests will check into their Winnipeg hotel. Meals: B, L, D
Guests may depart Winnipeg at their leisure. Meals: None
Dates | Adventure | Price |
---|---|---|
Jul 13-18, 2025 Tour Code: BBB1 | Belugas, Bears and Blooms Lodging: 2 nights Winnipeg, 3 nights Churchill Maximum 22 people | USD $4,887 USD $671 Single Supplement |
Jul 20-25, 2025 Tour Code: BBB2 | Belugas, Bears and Blooms Lodging: 2 nights Winnipeg, 3 nights Churchill Maximum 22 people | USD $4,887 USD $671 Single Supplement |
Jul 27 - Aug 1 2025 Tour Code: BBB8 | Belugas, Bears and Blooms Lodging: 2 nights Winnipeg, 3 nights Churchill Maximum 22 people | USD $4,887 USD $671 Single Supplement |
Jul 31 - Aug 5 2025 Tour Code: BBB20 | Belugas, Bears and Blooms Lodging: 2 nights Calgary, 3 nights Churchill Maximum 22 people Airfare is between Calgary-Churchill. | USD $4,887 USD $671 Single Supplement |
Aug 3-8, 2025 Tour Code: BBB4 | Belugas, Bears and Blooms Lodging: 2 nights Winnipeg, 3 nights Churchill Maximum 22 people | USD $4,887 USD $671 Single Supplement |
Aug 17-22, 2025 Tour Code: BBB6 | Belugas, Bears and Blooms Lodging: 2 nights Winnipeg, 3 nights Churchill Maximum 22 people | USD $4,887 USD $671 Single Supplement |
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All prices USD plus applicable taxes.
All prices, inclusions, and dates may be subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control.
All prices based on double occupancy. True North Deposit eligible. Gratuities included for 2024 and later travel dates only. Applicable taxes and mandatory comprehensive travel insurance are extra. See booking terms and conditions for more info.